REGULAR MEETING MINUTES January 9, 2013 6:30 P.M. 2nd Floor Conference Room Old Saybrook Town Hall |
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Members Present: Absent Members:
William Childress, Chairman Jan Murray
David Royston, V. Chairman Judy Ganswindt
John DeCristoforo
Don Hunt
Carol Manning, Secretary/Treasurer
David LaMay
Sal Aresco (via telephone 7:12 p.m.)
In Attendance:
Carl Fortuna, First Selectman (7:12 p.m.)
Attorney Michael Cronin
Barbara Maynard, Past Selectman
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
Call To Order:
Mr. Childress called the Charter Revision Commission meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
Approval of Minutes: The Charter Revision Commission meeting December 12, 2012.
DECRISTOFORO/MANNING
A motion to approve the Charter Revision Commission minutes of December 12 , 2012.
Motion carried unanimously.
Comments from the Public: None
Attorney Michael Cronin:
At this time, Mr. Childress called the Commission’s attention to his communication to Attorney Cronin of December 20, 2012, concerning specific questions CRC members raised at the December 12, 2012 meeting.
- Chapter 3; Section 5(a): Special appropriations by the Board of Selectmen. This section now authorizes such appropriations (without Town Meeting approval) up to $25K per Town agency per fiscal year. The statutes appear to limit the amount to $20K.
Mr. Cronin noted that the $20K stated in the Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-348 is “by population” but the town’s authority under home rule would allow a higher amount. A short discussion ensued and Mr. Childress noted that the general consensus of the Commission was to leave the number at $25K.
- Chapter 5; Elective Officers, Boards and Commissions: Section 7:
Can a Board or Commission enter into a non-union employment (or other) obligation purporting to bind the Town beyond the current fiscal year without approval of the Boards of Finance and Selectmen (and Town Meeting where applicable). If so, can the Charter be amended to require such approval?
Mr. Cronin advised that a charter amendment could require, prospectively, that a contract that binds the town for more than a fiscal year must have the approval of the Board of Finance, the Board of Selectmen and monetary approval by town meeting; Mr. Cronin will put together verbiage for the Charter for the next meeting.
A discussion ensued with regard to “appointive” v “elective” positions on selected boards such as the Board of Assessment Appeals; Parks & Recreation; Registrars.
Chapter 3 – The Board of Selectmen;: Section 2: First Selectman:
The Commission discussed the changes to this section as follows:
- 4th line: replace the word serving with receiving civil process;
- 7th line: ..of the Board of Selectmen chosen by him or her (insert…who shall not also be absent or disabled except as otherwise specifically provided in…
Chapter 4 – First Selectman: Section 3: Delegation of Duties:
The Commission discussed and suggested the following changes (bold italics) in this section:
Except as to such powers and duties which may not under the General Statutes of Connecticut be delegated to any other authority, the First Selectman may assign and delegate his or her duties and powers to another elector of the town subject to the consent of the Board of Selectmen.
The Commission continued their discussion with regard to “elective/appointive” boards. They discussed thinking about the Ethics Commission being appointed.
At this time, Mr. Childress asked the Commission to prepare for Chapters 5 & 6 for the next meeting.
Comments From The Commission: None
Public Comment: None
Motion to Adjourn:
MANNING/LAMAY
A motion to adjourn the January 9, 2013 meeting at 8:16 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Respectfully submitted,
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
Charter Revision Commission
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